††††††††††† For a period of fourteen years John
T. Wilson has worked systematically and effectively to further the interests of
the Federal Land Bank of Berkeley, of which he is vice president and a
director, but makes his home in San Fernando, and is one of the few remaining
pioneers who have witnessed the progress of civilization in this beautiful
valley.† He was born in Meadville,
Pennsylvania, January 10, 1861, a son of Christopher North and Jane (Estep)
Wilson, who came with their family to the Pacific coast, arriving in California
on the 2nd of January, 1871.†
The father was a very early settler in the San Fernando Valley in what
is now known as Wilsonís Canyon, which was named for him, and did much to
develop and improve that district.† The
Olive View Sanitarium is now located on his ranch.† He was an able attorney and successfully
followed his profession in southern California for forty years.† His long, upright and useful life was brought
to a close in 1914 and the death of his wife occurred in 1900.

††††††††††† John T. Wilson, the sole survivor of
a family of six children, was a lad of ten when his parents established their
home in the Golden state and his educational advantages were those afforded by
the grammar and high schools of Los Angeles.†
Mastering the trade of a printer, he secured work in the plant of the
Los Angeles Express and left that paper to join the construction force of the
Southern Pacific Railroad Company when the line was being extended from Los
Angeles to San Francisco.† He spent three
years with the road, and in 1882 took charge of the George K. Porter ranch
which comprises thousands of acres of land.†
The Porter Land & Water Company was later sold to the Mission Land
Company, but during these changes Mr. Wilson remained in charge, acting gas
manager for more than thirty years.† The
property was then subdivided and sold in small tracts and thousands now have
their homes on the old San Fernando Mission ranch.† Subsequently Mr. Wilson had the light and
power franchise for the city of San Fernando, purchasing current from the
Southern California Edison Company, and was also a dealer in General Electric supplies in San Fernando.†
This business he conducted successfully for fifteen years, selling it at
the end of that time.†† Meanwhile he had
entered financial circles; becoming connected with the Federal Land Bank of
Berkeley, and since 1919 has given all of his time to its affairs.† The bank operates in four states and in the
promotion of its interests he travels extensively, rendering valuable service
to the large financial institution which he capably represents.

††††††††††† In 1888 Mr. Wilson was married to
Miss Grace Lopez, who was a member of one of the oldest families in the San
Fernando Valley. †She was a daughter of
Geronimo and Catalina L. de (Lopez) Lopez, the father being proprietor of the
old Lopez stage coach station.† Mr. and
Mrs. Wilson were the parents of two sons:†
John J., a well-known lawyer of Los Angeles, married Mildred Hobbs, of Alameda,
and has to sons, Jack and James.† Theodore R. is with his father.† The wife and mother died in October,
1931.† Mr. Wilson has advanced through
all the chairs of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and is also affiliated
with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.† He worships in the Episcopal Church, and in
politics is a Democrat.† Elected justice
of the peace for San Fernando Township, he proved so well qualified for the
office that he was retained therein for eight years.† He is one of the best known men in the valley
and throughout his career has been guided and impelled by those high principles
and standards which constitute the basis of all honorable
and desirable prosperity.